Abstract: A toaster mechanism includes a base, a carriage movable relative to the base and including a hook and a switch bar, a first switch associated with heating elements of the toaster and supported by the base and being activated by the switch bar, a timer-deactivated electromagnet supported by the base, a catch block movably supported by the base and including a bearing surface against which the hook can bear to move the block, a catch surface to catch the hook, a ferrous part interacting with the electromagnet, and an activating surface. A second switch is associated with the electromagnet and is in series electrically with the first switch. The first switch receives electric current only when the second switch is closed by the activating surface of the catch block. This ensures that toast does not burn if it is jammed in the toaster after a specified toasting time.